Knitting machine needle device with operating means and method



Dec. 25, 1956 Filed March 31, 1353 Flt l- FIE-.6

E. BELLINI KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE DEVICE WITH OPERATING MEANS AND METHOD 7 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

- Hyena Bellini,

ATTORNEY D86 1956 E. BELLINI 2,775,110

KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE DEVICE WITH OPERATING MEANS AND METHOD Filed March 31 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 E ene eZZini I B) Z59 1 z ATTORNEY.

Dec. 25, 1956 E. BELLINI 2,775,103

KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE DEVICE WITH OPERATING MEANS AND METHOD Filed March 31, 1955 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG: 5.

IN V E N TOR: fiyene flelli'ni,

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 25, 1956 E. BELLINI 2,775,103

/ KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE DEVICE WITH OPERATING MEANS AND METHOD Filed March 51, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

FIE- IL 1 //VVENTOR-.

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KNITTING MACHINE NEE; DEVICE WITH OPERATING MEANS METHOD Filed March 51, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Flca= 13 Dec. 25, 1956 E. BELLINI 2,775,108

KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE DEVICE WITH OPERATING MEANS AND METHOD Filed March 31, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. lq'

g0 F1G- 15 INVENTOR: 34 Ez gene Bellini BY AWORNEY- Dec. 25, 1956 E. BELLINl 2,775,108

KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE DEVICE WITH OPERATING MEANS AND METHOD Filed March 31, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 15

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United States Patent KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE DEVICE WITH OPERATING IVIEANS AND METHOD Eugene Bellini, Jackson, Ala., assignor to Vanity Fair Mills, Inc., Reading, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 31, 1953, Serial No. 345,7 87

14 Claims. (Cl. 66-86) This invention concerns knitting means and methods involving a needle structure, or device, which comprises a complementary pair of separate loop forming needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently operated longitudinally relative to each other as Well as in unison, in timed cooperative relationship with such elements of a knitting machine as the yarn feed fingers, sinkers, etc., to elfect the knitting of a fabric composed of successive courses of interconnected loops.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel simplified needle structure, or device, of the type indicated, comprising a pair of separate complementary needle elements, i. e., a unique hook element and a unique tongue element, which elements are designed and constructed for cooperative actuation in a certain novel manner so as to close and open the working end of the needle structure during a knitting cycle and which elements are arranged to accomplish this without the aid of any special, or auxiliary, guide or other means of the type heretofore employed to assist such needle structure elements in the attainment of their operational objective.

Another object is to provide such a needle device which can be readily embodied in warp, or tricot knitting machines and the like, so that the structural and functional simplicity of the device will enable the attainment of greater knitting efiiciency, precision and speed in such machines.

Another object is to provide such a needle device hav ing certain structural and functional features of advantage over the similar devices of the prior art.

A further object is to provide such a needle device in which both of the component elements thereof, i. e., the hook element and the tongue element, can be readily formed of ordinary round needle stock and include working parts that are comparatively stronger, more rugged and durable, than the similar parts of prior art needle devices of this general type.

An additional object is to provide such a needle device which includes a novel tongue element that has a straight body section, adjacent the outer free extremity of which is provided an elongated groove having an open end for slidably receiving the therewith aligned front portion of the hook formed on the separate hook element of the needle device.

Another object is to provide such a two element needle device which includes a hook element comprising a straight body section having a hook formed at its outer end the front or tip portion of which hook is alignedly arranged with an elongated groove provided lengthwise along said body section, and a tongue element comprising a straight shank section adapted to have guided longitudinal movement in said groove, which shank section terminates in a forwardly tapering tip portion having a short groove with an open end extending lengthwise along one side thereof in such manner that thefront portion of the hook can be slidingly moved into and out of said short groove at the open end thereof.

It is also an object to provide novel motivating means adapted to effect cooperative movement of the elements of said needle structure in a certain manner during the knitting cycle, in properly timed relation with the other knitting elements of the machine, such as the yarn feeding and sinker means, etc.

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel knitting method, or process, involving the use of my unique needle structure, as hereinafter more particularly explained.

With these and other objects in view, which will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the practical and illustrative embodiments of my improvements shown in the accompanying drawings, my invention comprises the novel needle structure, or device, the operating means therefor, as well as the novel elements, features of construction, arrangement of parts in cooperative relationship and the new method of knitting, as more particularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a greatly enlarged partial side elevational view of the tongue element of my novel needle structure, or device.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the tongue element shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the upper end section of the hook element of my novel needle structure, or device, shown to the same scale as the previously described figures.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the hook element shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the cooperatively combined hook and tongue elements shown in Figs. 1- 4, having parts of the shank portions thereof broken away so as to disclose'the lower ends thereof secured in mounting blocks, or bars, as usual.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional View, taken as indicated by the arrows 6-6 on Fig. 5.

Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive are similar elevational sectional views of a certain part of the loop forming mechanism of a warp or tricot knitting machine with the needle structure of my invention incorporated therein and illustrate the elements of said needle structure in combination with certain usual and well known cooperating parts of the loop forming mechanism in the relative positions which they occupy during the novel knitting cycle and loop forming process of my invention.

Fig. 13 is an elevational sectional view of a portion of the warp knitting machine mechanism and more particularly discloses the novel means provided for operating the tongue and hook elements of my needle structure, or device; however, the mechanism shown is positioned so that the already described loop fonming elements are turned degrees so that the front of the mechanism faces in opposite direction.

Figs. 14 and 15 are elevational sectional views, facing in the same direction as Fig. 13, and respectively show the means provided for operating the sinkers and yarn feed guides of the warp knitting machine mechanism here involved.

Fig. 16 is a partial side elevational view of certain loop forming elements and discloses a schematic, or diagrammatic movement curve, which helps to clarify the action of said elements during the knitting cycle, and

Fig. 17 is a curve diagram, or chart, which illustrates the vertical positional relationship of the various cooperating loop forming parts, or elements, of the novel knitting mechanism here involved, as attained during those phases of the knitting cycle illustrated by Figs. 7 .to 12 inclusive.

It will be helpful to an understanding of my invention to first briefly consider some of the more important aspects and phases thereofso that these can be kept in mind when reading the detailed description of the improvements here involved.

Accordingly, it is noted that the two-part needle structure, or device of my invention, is adapted for use in various types of knitting machines in cooperation with usual other loop forming means, such as yarn guides, sinkers, etc., to form a knitted fabric of successive courses of loops arranged in interconnected relation, as well known in the art of machine knitting.

The two-part needle structure, or device, is adapted to be operated in novel manner by unique means, and in accordance with a novel knitting method, all representing constituent parts of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings, my invention is exemplified in conjunction with certain usual and well-known parts of a warp or tricot knitting machine. However, it will be understood by those skilled in this art that the practical exemplification of my invent-ion as herein disclosed, lends itself to application in substantially the same, or a similar manner, to other-knitting machine mechanisms and that the benefits and advantages derived from the invention are consequently not limited to .the exact embodiment herein shown and described. This will become more apparent from the following detailed description of one practical and illustrative form of my inventive improvements.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the drawings, my novel two-part needle structure, or device, comprises the two separate complementary needle elements 1 and 2, that are each adapted to be mounted and arranged, or cast as usual, in multiple or series formation in lead pieces 3 and 4, which latter in turn are .alignedly arranged on separate elongated individually operable supporting means 14 and 23 as shown in Figs 13. That is to say, as many of each of the needle elements 1 .and 2 are mounted in aligned, adjacent, uniformly spaced relationship on their said respective supporting means as are required to make up a needle bar unit for producing a knitted fabric of desired gauge, the complementary needle elements 1 and 2 being arranged in opposed cooperating relationship as indicated in Fig. 5.

The needle element 1 is formed of needle steel, i. e., standard needle stock of circular cross-section and com prises an upper straight tongue section 1*, a lower angularly disposed shank section 1 a somewhat tapered upper t1p section 1, the free extremity of which is rounded as indicated at 1 A relatively short lengthwise extendmggroove 1 is formed in the tip section 1, which groove 1 is so arranged that its upper end is open at the free extremity of the tip section 1. In order that this needle element 1 may be readily distinguished throughout the description and claims, it is'more particularly identified and referred to as the tongue element.

The needle element 2 is also formed of a good grade of standard needle stock of circular cross-section and comprises a straight lower shank section 2, a substantially straight upper section 2 in which is formed an elongated groove 2, and a hook section 2* which forms the upper extremity of the element 2. In order that this needle element 2 may be readily distinguished throughout the description and claims, it is more particularly identified and referred to as the hook element.

Fig. 5 is a partial side elevational view of the tongue element 1 and the hook element 2 as they appear when in combined cooperative needle structure forming relationship during one phase of their operation in producing loops during the knitting cycle. Fig. 6 discloses the manner in which the tongue section 1 of the tongue element 1 rests for united movement with the hook element 2, in the groove 2 of the latter, or for relative sliding movement between the tongue and hook elements during another operational phase of these elements. Both the tongue elements 1 and the hook elements 2 are provided with straight butt ends that are anchored in the actuating bars 3 and 4 in accordance with the standard practice, but, if desired, the tongue and hook elements may be provided with the usual right-angular butts for this purpose, all in accordance with the usual and well known practice followed in mounting needle elements of this general type in actuating bars.

Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, clearly illustrate the cooperating movements carried out by the tongue elements 1 and hook elements 2 during one loop forming operation, or knitting cycle of the machine, the more important positions of said elements being shown in properly timed relation with other usual loop forming elements, such as yarn guides 5 land sinkers 6, only one of each of which is depicted in said figures so as .to simplify the illustrations. By referring to Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, in conjunction with Fig. 17, the knitting cycle of the respective elements will become clear. In Fig. 17, the successive vertical relationship of the various loop forming elements is indicated along the vertical lines numbered the same as the figures that show the corresponding relationship of the loop forming elements.

Fig. 7 indicates the first or initial positions occupied by the tongue and hook elements land 2, the yarn guide 5 and the sinker 6, at the beginning of a respective knitting cycle in accordance with my novel knitting process, to eifect the addition of a course of new loops to a knitted fabric section. In Fig. 7, the fabric section is indicated more or less schematically by the chain of loops F, and a warp yarn Y is shown extending upwardly therefrom on the near side of the sinker 6, through the eye of its respective yarn feeding guide 5. It will be understood that the loop forming elements just referred to are duplicated and arranged in laterally aligned, uniformly spaced relationship, as usual, to an extent providing one such group of cooperating loop forming elements for each loop in the course of loops of the fabric being knitted by the machine.

Fig. 8 illustrates the positions occupied by the respective loop forming elements at theend or" their first movement. it will be noted that the sinker 6, the yarn guide '5 and the tongue element 1, have remained in stationary position, while the hook element 2 has moved upwardly to a position where the hook portion 2 is a short distance above the upper edge of the sinker '6.

Fig. 9 illustrates the positions occupied by the respective loop forming elements at the end of their second movement. The sinker 6 is in the same stationary position as before, while the yarn guide 5, after being laterally shifted toward the observer so as to bring the yarn Y across the side surface of the hook element 2 toward the observer, has been moved rearwardly to the position shown. At the same time, the hook element 2 has been moved upwardly by the difference in the positions indicated by Figs. 8 and 9, and the tongue element 1 has also been slidingly moved upwards in the groove 2 of the hook element 2, to a position where the upper end of the tongue element 1 is above the upper edge of the sinker 6.

Fig. 10 illustrates the position occupied by the respective loop forming elements at the end of their third movement. The yarn guide 5, after being shifted laterally away from the observer, has moved forwardly so as to lay the yarn Y under the hook 2 of'the hook element 2 and the latter has moved downwardly while the tongue element 1 has moved slightly upwardly so as to close the hook of the needle structure. At about the same time, the sinker 6 has moved rearwardly away from the needle structure substantially to an extent represented by the difference in distance of the inner end of the sinker slot from the needle structure, as show-n in Figs. 9 and 10, thereby causing the fabric F to ride upwardly in the sinker slot along the needle structure.

Fig. 11 illustrates the positions occupied by the respective loop forming elementsat the end of their fourth movement, The sinker 6 has been moved rearwardly to attains the fullest extent while the tongue and hook elements 1 and 2 have unitedly moved downwardly so as to effect the drawing of a new yarn loop through the previously formed loop, while the fabric F has been raised substantially to the top edge of the sinker 6. During this time, the yarn feed guide 5 has remained in stationary position.

Fig. 12 illustrates the positions of the respective loop forming elements atthe end of their fifth movement. The tongue and hook elements 1 and 2 have continued their united movement downwardly while the hook of the needle structure is closed, so as to again properly position the fabric F for movement into the slot of the sinker 6, while the latter moves forwardly, and to effect further pulling of the new yarn loop through the loop previously formed on the knitted fabric. During this time the yarn feed guide 5 has remained in stationary position.

It will be noted from Figs. 13, 14 and 15 that the knitting mechanism of my invention is provided with a usual motor driven cam shaft 7, which is rotated at the desired speed and functions as a common motivating means for the various knitting machine parts, as usual, including (1) the tongue and hook element operating mechanism shown in Fig. 13, (2) the sinker operating mechanism shown in Fig. 14, and (3) the yarn feed guide operating mechanism shown in Fig. 15. Since the cam shaft 7 motivates all said parts and mechanisms, the proper timing relationship of the latter is established with this common source of operating power.

The hook element operating mechanism shown in Fig. 13 comprises a pair of similar edge cams 8 and '9 that are secured in adjacent diametrically opposed cam surface relationship on the cam shaft 7, a pair of similar cam rollers 10 and 11, that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral edges of the cams 3 and '9 and are mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on a supporting frame or lever 12. The lever 12 is secured to a rocking shaft 13 that extends longitudinally of the warp knitting machine. At the forward end of the lever 12 is provided the usual clamp type supporting means 14 arranged to hold the leads 4 in which the hook elements 2 are cast or enclosed.

The tongue element operating mechanism, also shown in Fig. 13, comprises a pair of similar edge cams 15 and 16 that are secured in adjacent diametrically opposed cam surface relationship on the cam shaft 7, 'a pair of similar cam rollers 17 and 18 that are mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on a supporting frame, or lever 19. The lever 19 is secured to a rocking shaft 20 and is connected by a link 21 with a lever 22 which in turn is mounted for free rocking motion on the shaft 13. At the front end of the lever 22 is provided a usual type vertically adjustable supporting means or bar 23 and the tongue element leads 3 are fixedly secured in properly adjusted position on the top of the said supporting means 23.

The sinker operating mechanism shown in Fig. 14 comprises a pair of similar edge cams 24 and '25 that are secured in adjacent diametrically opposed cam surface relation on the cam shaft 7, a pair of similar cam rollers 26 and 27 that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral edges of the cams 24 and and are adjustably mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on a supporting frame or lever 28. The lever 22 is secured to a rocking shaft 29 that extends longitudinally of the warp knitting machine. An extension or arm 28 of the lever 28 has attached to its upper end a sinker bar 30 on which are secured the sinkers 6 in the usual spaced and aligned relationship required for proper cooperation with the other loop forming elements here involved.

The yarn feeding guide operating mechanism shown in Fig. 15 comprises a pair of similar edge cams 31 and 32 that are secured in diametrically opposed cam surface relation on the cam shaft 7, a pair of similar cam rollers 33 and 34 that are adapted to cooperate with the peripheral edges of the earns 31 and 32 and are adjustably mounted for this purpose in correspondingly spaced relationship to said cams, on a supporting frame or lever 35. The lever 35 is mounted for free rocking motion on the rocking shaft 13 that extends longitudinally of the knitting machine. An extension or arm 35 of the lever 35 has pivotally connected therewith one end of a link 37 the other end of which link is adjustably secured to an arm 38 in turn fixed to a shaft 39 that also extends longitudinally of the knitting machine. Dependingly secured to the shaft 39 is an arm 40 to the lower end of which is attached a yarn guide bar 41 on which are secured the yarn guide elements '5 in the usual laterally spaced and aligned relationship required for proper cooperation with the other loop forming elements here involved. Fig. 15 shows a second yarn feeding guide arrangement depending from the shaft 39, which is similar to the arrangev ment already described and has been added in Fig. 15

to indicate that as many such yarn feeding guide arrangements may be added to the machine as desired, or required, in accordance with the conventional practice, to effect multiple yarn feeding operation of the machine in usual and well known manner.

Operation By referring to Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive, in conjunction with the movement diagram of Fig. 17, it will become clear how the novel needlev structure of my invention cooperates with the other loop forming elements, step by step, during the performance of a knitting cycle. In Fig. 17, the vertical movements carried out by the tongue and hook elements 1 and 2 are given in tenths of an inch, and the horizontal movements of the yarn guide 5 and sinker 6 are shown by curves in which the vertical distance represents the horizontal movements of the said yarn guide and sinker during their usual reciprocating motion.

Fig. 7 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at the beginning of the knitting cycle. At this point, the hook and tongue elements 1 and 2 are in closed relation and the needle structure is retracted to its lowermost position with the last formed yarn loop of the knitted fabric F engaged under the hook 2 The yarn guide 5 is in ultimate forward position and the sinker 6 is in ultimate forward position.

Fig. 8 shows the loop forming elements substantially as positionally related to each other at the position 8 in Fig. 17. At this point the hook element 2 has moved upwardly so that the hook portion 2 thereof extends a short distance above the top edge of the sinker 6. The last yarn loop formed on the knitted fabric F is now engaged about the straight upper shank section 2 of the hook element 2. The tongue element 1 has remained stationary, whereas the yarn feeding guide 5 has started its movement rearwardly after having been shifted laterally so that it can pass the needle structure side nearest the observer. The sinker 6 has remained in stationary position.

Fig. 9 shows the loop forming elements as positionally related to each other at position 9 in Fig. 17. At this point the hook element 2 has moved to its ultimate position in upward direction. The tongue element 1 has also moved upwardly so that the tip thereof extends a short distance above the top edge of the sinker 6. The yarn feed guide 5 has moved rearwardly substantially to its fullest extent, whereas the sinker 6 has remained in its former stationary position. The last yarn loop formed on the knitted fabric F is now engaged about the upper straight shank section 2 of the hook element 2 and the straight upper section 1* of the tongue element 1.

Fig. 10 shows the loop forming elements as positionally related to each other at position 10 in Fig. 17. At this point the hook element 1 has moved downwardly so that the front tip of its hook portion 2 has moved into theslot 1' of the tongue element 1, thereby closing the needle structure, with the yarn Y engaged under the hook portion 2 of the hook element 2. The yarn feed guide 5 has been shifted laterally so that it will pass the side edge of the needle structure away from the observer and has moved forward substantially to its ultimate position in this direction. The sinker 6 has moved rearwardly to nearly its ultimate position in this direction, thereby causing the knitted fabric F to move upwardly in the sinker slot and along the upper straight shank sections 2 and 1 of the hook element 2 and tongue element 1, respectively.

Fig. 11 shows the loop forming elements as positionally related to each other at position 11 in Fig. 17. At this point the tongue and hook elements 1 and 2 have unitedly moved downwardly while the needle structure is closed, so as to pull the yarn Y through the last formed loop of the fabric F. At this point, the sinker 6 has moved rearwardly to its ultimate position in this direction and the yarn feed guide 5 has moved forwardly to its ultimate position in this direction. The knitted fabric F has moved beyond the sinker slot and is located at the top edge of the sinker just beyond the sinker slot opening.

Fig. 12 shows the loop forming elements as positionally related to each other at position 12 in Fig. 17. At this point the tongue and hook elements 1 and 2 have unitedly moved downwardly to their ultimate or initial position in this direction while the needle structure is closed. The sinker 6 is moving forwardly so that the knitted fabric P will again be engaged in the sinker slot. The yarn feed guide 5 is moving rearwardly to the position shown in Fig. 7 and a new yarn loop has now been added to the knitted fabric F.

For further clarification of the cyclic movement just described, reference may be'had to Fig. 16 in which the dot-and-dash curve there shown depicts the composite movement of the needle structure and the sinker 6. That is to say, the said curve traces the tip of the needle structure in relation to the reciprocating movement of the sinker 6, so as to make clear the exact position of the needle structure tip to the sinker parts with which the needle structure cooperates at any particular point in the cyclic movement of the needle structure and sinker.

It is to be particularly noted that the tongue element 1 and the hook element 2, are operated longitudinally relative to each other, as well as in unison, during each knitting cycle, by the means shown in Fig. 13. The mechanism shown in Fig. 13 precisely combines the tongue and hook elements 1 and 2 in such manner as to obviate the necessity of any auxiliary'guide means for the said elements of the needle structure, during their cooperation. This feature constitutes a'substantial advance in the simplification of the operating means for two-part needle structures of the type here involved and also substantially reduces the equipment wear and repair cost of such operating means heretofore employed for this purpose.

In connection with the description of the operation of my novel needle structure and the motivating mechanism therefor, it is to be understood that references for convenience and descriptive simplification to the single loop forming elements was intended to include multiple arrangements of such elements as usually provided in accordance with the well known knitting machine construction and operating practices followed at the present time.

In the claims, such expressions as for receiving an outer part of said straight portion, an inside groove, the inner side, etc., when directed to the respective needle elements in a needle structure of the character described, or in the knitting mechanism of the character described, or in the method of knitting here involved, mean the relationship that prevails between the respective needle elements when they are in their adjacent, or side by side working arrangement, as disclosed by the drawings.

Of course, it will also be understood that the improvements specifically shown and described can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and more particularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A needle structure of the character described comprising, a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the other element is provided'with an inside groove along its tip portion for receiving an outer part of said straight portion of the hook formed on the first mentioned element.

2. A needle structure of the character described comprising, a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the other element has a straight body section provided with an inside groove along its tip portion that is open at one end thereof for slidingly receiving an outer part of said straight portion of the hook formed on the first mentioned element.

3. A needle structure of the character described comprising, a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the other element has a straight body section which terminates in a tip portion having a groove with an open end extending longitudinally along the inner side of said tip portion for slidingly receiving the front part of the straight portion of the hook formed on said first mentioned element.

4. A needle structure of the character described comprising, a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the other element includes integrally formed body sections that are angularly disposed relative to each other, one of which sections terminates in a tip portion having an inside groove with an open end extending longitudinally along said tip portion for slidingly receiving an outer part of said straight portion of the hook formed on said first mentioned element.

5. A needle structure of the character described comprising, a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop form ing operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the other element has a straight body section which terminates in a tip portion that i rounded at its outer extremity and has a groove with an open end extending from said extremity longitudinally along the inner side of said tip portion for slidingly receiving an outer part of said straight portion of the hook formed on said first mentioned element.

6. A needle structure of the character described comprising, a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion a'djacent to its tip and the other element has a straight body section which terminatesin a forwardly tapering tip portion that is rounded at its outer extremity and has a groove with an open end extending from said extremity longitudinally along the inner side of said tip portion for slidingly receiving an outer part of said straight portion of the hook formed on said first mentioned element.

7. A needle structure of the Character described comprising, a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop form ing operation, both of which elements are formed of round needle stock and one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the second element is provided with an inside groove along its tip portion for receiving an outer part of said straight portion of the hook formed on said first mentioned element.

8. A needle structure of the character described com prising; a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which needle elements has a straight body section with a hook formed at the front end thereof the tip of which hook is in alignment with a longitudinal groove provided in said body section, and the other of which needle elements has a straightshank section adapted to have guided longitudinal movement in said groove which shank section terminates in a tip portion having a groove with an open end extending longitudinally along the inner side of said tip portion for slidingly receiving the front portion of said hook.

9. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guide and sinker means arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the other element is provided with an inside groove along its tip portion for receiving an outer part of the straight portion of the hook formed on the first mentioned element; and means for effecting longitudinal movement of said needle elements in timed loop forming cooperation with said yarn guide and sinker means during the knitting cycle.

elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longi- ,tudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which elements has a hook formed at its working end provided with a straight ettecting longitudinal movement of said needle elements relative to each other so as to bring about sliding registry and separation of the straight portion of the hook formed on one of said needle elements with the groove of the other element, in timed loop forming cooperation with said yarn guide and sinker means during the knitting cycle.

12. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guide and sinker means arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming cycle, one of which elements has a hook formed at its Working end provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and the other element has a straight body section which terminates in a tip portion having a groove that is open at one end thereof extending longitudinally along the inner side of said tip portion for slidingly receiving in said groove through the open end thereof an outer part of the straight portion of the hook formed on said first mentioned element; and means for eifecting longitudinal movement of said needle elements in unison and relative to each other in timed loop forming cooperation with said yarn guide and sinker means during the knitting cycle.

13. In a knitting mechanism of the character described the combination with yarn guide and sinker means arranged for operation through a knitting cycle; of a needle structure comprising a pair of complementary needle elements that are adapted to be adjacently actuated longitudinally in unison and relative to each other during their loop forming operation, one of which needle elements has a straight body section with a hook formed at the front end thereof the tip of which hook is in alignment with a longitudinal groove provided in said body section, and the other of which needle elements has a straight shank section adapted to have guided longitudinal movement in said groove which shank section terminates in a tip portion having a groove with an open end extending longitudinally along the inner side of said tip portion for slidingly receiving the front portion of said hook; and means for effecting longitudinal movement of said needle elements in unison and relative to each other in timed loop forming cooperation with said yarn guide and sinker means during the knitting cycle.

14. The method of knitting with a two element needle structure that comprises a needle element having a hook formed at one end thereof provided with a straight portion adjacent to its tip and a separate needle element having a tip portion provided with an inside groove extending therealong that is open at one end thereof and ar ranged in substantially axial registry with the front part of the straight portion of said hook; which method includes the step of moving said needle elements longitudinally relative to each other so as to close and open the working end of the needle structure by relative axial engaging and disengaging movement of said front part of the straight hook portion and groove during the knitting cycle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS (1st addition to No. 659,876) 

